Atronia arrived at the Mausoleo earlier than both Ezio and Niccoló. She sat on the stone outcrop and watched bystanders pass. Minutes passed slowly and boredom overtook her. She began to mess with the group of Borgia guards by whistling then hiding behind a wall, then going to another area to do the same. It didn't take long to get them annoyed.
"Atti!" she was just about to whistle again when she saw Machiavelli summoning her with a secretive wave of his hand. She scurried over to him, saluting him by a placing of her hand on her chest.
"Niccoló," she said. He attempted to stay serious, then cracked one of those rare smiles he almost always held back.
"Come here, mio amico." he embraced her, relieved to be seeing her alive and well compared to the day before, where she had looked quite the opposite. Her eye was still black, but she seemed so much happier. She let out a chuckle.
"You should not be saying that name very loud around here. I am Demetra Soldati after all." she replied, releasing the embrace.
"You will always be Atronia Auditore da Monteriggioni to me," he smiled kindly, sympathy shining in his eyes, "How are you holding up?" Atronia thought about her past day and realized she'd put Mario far in the back of her mind for concern of Ezio. She had buried the memory without knowing it.
"Uh," she struggled to find words, "I… I do not know." Machiavelli placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her another reassuring smile. She returned it gratefully, her eyes glossing over. She was glad to have a good friend in her life, especially in such a difficult time. A stray tear began rolling down her face and she quickly rubbed it away. The mentor removed his hand and looked around, confusion now in his eyes.
"Where is Ezio?"
"Oh," she rolled her eyes, "he is off fighting for a citizen. First day in Roma and he is already raising his notoriety and Borgia suspicion. He just wants to be infamous, I suppose." Machiavelli chuckled at her remark.
"Well, he had better not be too much longer. We have a schedule to keep. Frankly, I do not have time to waste." Atronia laughed, taking a seat back down on the stone. They spent the next few minutes talking of recent reports, memories of Mario, and of the Roman Order.
"Who will take over the Italian Brotherhood now that my father is... gone?" she questioned, choking on her words. He stiffened suddenly, a nervous stare flickered away from hers.
"That is still under consideration." he answered far too quickly for her liking. Her head snapped towards him,
"Niccoló?" she knew that as Mario's daughter, she was technically the next in line to take the mantle of the Brotherhood's leader.
"Ah, Ezio is finally here!" he, even faster than before, changed the subject.
"Niccoló!" she argued. He stood up and turned back to her, his everyday temper overruling his reason.
"We will discuss this later, A-" he stopped himself, "Demetra, I promise." Atronia sighed angrily as Ezio walked up. He cast a confused glance between the two but didn't ask why such harsh words were being spoken.
After a few minutes of discussion about the current situation in Rome, Machiavelli assigned Atronia to go see Volpe on the other side of the city. He requested that she convince him to lend his troops to the cause.
"Is he not in the cause already?" she wondered, surprised that she had to even go to his hideout.
"He has been surprisingly hesitant, sí. I am sending you because you know him best, you can convince him, I am confident in that. We need him to help us build our underground roots in Rome." Machiavelli replied, careful not to say her name out loud. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "Make me proud!"
"Aye, aye, Niccoló. I cannot believe I have not already." she scoffed, nodding once at Ezio. Niccoló chuckled and Ezio gave him a surprised glance. He didn't laugh very often. She then walked away into the streets, beginning her journey across the city.
"Who is she, Niccoló?" Ezio wondered once she was out of hearing distance.
"The most eccentric and stubborn Italiano you will meet, Ezio."
Atronia was nearly to the thieves guild. She'd rented a horse part of the way there, then left it at a stable a short time later. Some of the Borgia guards began to take interest in her, as if they knew who she was. Stealth was her main goal. Unlike Ezio, her hope was to keep her notoriety at an all time low.
She began to think about her recurring dream. She now knew for sure that the girl she was talking to was Alessa, she knew her own daughter. The part that bothered her was who were they talking about? Him. Who was he? While in her thoughts, she marched past a herald, who was giving the latest Roman news. She paid him no mind but moved on slowly, eavesdropping on Borgia guards for any information.
"Cesare Borgia has invited all of you…" the herald suddenly grabbed her attention, "... to a presentation of his grand arsenal of weapons build by Maestro da Vinci!" Atronia's heart skipped a beat.
"Pardon me?" she called out from the crowd. She hadn't intended on speaking, but the words slipped out easier than any, "Who built weapons for Cesare?"
"Why, madonna! Everyone knows of Maestro Leonardo da Vinci, greatest architect of our time!" he called back hastily, wishing to get back to the rest of his announcements.
"Mi dispiace, messere. Continue." she walked away from the group, multiple pairs of eyes following her journey from the spotlight. They quickly moved back to the herald. She blatantly ignored anyone who got in her way. So many thoughts swirled in her head.
He would not. Not Leo. she thought, attempting to think of a time he'd even thought about being an ally for the Borgia. He is not a traitor.
She found herself standing a couple feet away from thieves guild, a tall structure that was clearly in need of an of update. She hadn't even realized she'd walked so far.
Atronia made her way forward, her mind not really on her mission. She wanted to see Leonardo. It had been far too long. As she reached to knock on the door, a voice stopped her before she could.
"May I help you?" Volpe walked up beside her. She wanted to burst out and hug him and greet her old friend. She wanted to tell him who she was, but first she decided to play a game. He knew well of the plan, but he hadn't yet seen her transformation.
"Ciao, messere," she batted her eyelashes, "Do you know where I could find Atronia Auditore?" His eyes flashed and he fingered his dagger.
"Who is asking?"
"Someone who is curious to meet her…" she smiled. Once he unsheathed his dagger, she realized she'd gone too far, "Woah! Volpe, it is me! Atronia!" she exclaimed whilst showing him her hidden blades. He backed off slightly, but he still didn't seem convinced.
"Anyone can have a set of hidden blades." he growled. She showed him her finger and her Assassin brand, then cautiously removed her hood. He then completely relaxed, his eyes widening in shock and realization.
"Atti! Forgive me, my friend." he sheathed his dagger again, tension quickly left his shoulders.
"Clearly you are not one to be playing tricks on, Volpe!" she smiled at him, and he returned gratefully.
"My apologies. Things have been more tense here lately. What brings you to my inn, Atronia?" he wondered, leaning back on the stone handrail. She smiled.
"I assumed you already knew."
To her surprise, his eyes immediately narrowed. "Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I cannot help you."
"What? Why not, Volpe?" she stood shocked as he walked through the door of the inn. He remained silent for a moment until they reached the back room where they could speak privately.
"My spies have brought me a number of reasons to believe that Machiavelli is a traitor!" he whispered harshly, folding his arms. Atronia stood speechless. Volpe knew better than this. Machiavelli was a loyal assassin, especially to her.
"Volpe, you are insane! Machiavelli may be quiet, but he is not a traitor, not to the assassins." she snapped angrily. A spy suddenly walked into the room. The two straightened their demeanor and tried not to look angry.
"May I help you?" Volpe growled.
"Forgive me, Volpe," the spy slouched his shoulders, "Machiavelli has been sighted performing a secret meeting with the Borgia." Volpe's "I-knew-it" gaze moved from the spy to Atronia, who was already giving him a steely glare.
"No way, Volpe." she said, folding her arms. Volpe walked out of the room, his stare remaining on her for a moment. Once he left, she let out a sigh. She would not accept that Machiavelli had betrayed the order. After her inner debate, she left the room. Volpe had left with some men to witness Machiavelli's supposed betrayal. She had nothing left to do except do what Ezio hadn't yet. She inwardly groaned.
Regretfully, she made her way to the Roman brothel, Rosa in Fiore. She imagined that the best way to make an ally without failing today was at the brothel. Even though she cringed at the idea of what the courtesan did, they needed people in the street, and they were useful.
She strode briskly and with purpose as she knocked on the door. One of the courtesans answered, eyebrow raised in the weird fashion they used. Atronia folded her arms.
"I'm not here for you. May I speak to the owner?" Atronia immediately growled. The courtesan looked surprised to see a female at the door and her cheeks flushed red.
"Mi dispiace, madonna…" she muttered, "but we do not currently have an owner." Atronia furrowed her eyebrows and cocked her head at the girl. Seeing her confusion, the courtesan opened the door for her to enter. Atronia hesitantly stepped in, immediately feeling contaminated. She turned back to the girl, hoping for quick answers. As she turned, two women caught her eye.
"Our last owner was murdered by slave traders not even two days ago," the courtesan said, growing more and more emotional, "it was so sudden, and we had no plan. We never thought this would happen!" she suddenly burst into tears. Atronia stared at her with wide eyes, she felt there was no way to comfort her. So she stood awkwardly, her gaze moving back to the two woman. As she continued her examination of them, she was surprised to notice it was her mother and sister.
"Demetra? What are you doing here?" Claudia exclaimed as Atronia stepped towards them.
"I should be asking the same thing about you… Ezio told you to go to Firenze!" she retorted, attempting to stay in character. She never enjoyed snapping at Claudia, but this Demetra Soldati she had taken on would do such. Claudia got up in her face.
"We do not have to follow whatever Ezio says. He is not the boss of us!"
Atronia noticed that Claudia had a new edge to her, ever since Monteriggioni, she had gained a new kind of attitude and stamina Atronia had never seen before. She wasn't sure if it worried or excited her.
"Alright, I will not argue. Just know that he was trying to keep you safe."
"Yes, right before he and Atronia left us again,"
"Claudia!" Maria cut in.
"Ezio and his sister are not just protecting your family, but the people of Italia. You best know what side you are on Claudia." This was not Demetra speaking. Atronia was sincerely struck by her sister's words. Had she really hurt Claudia that bad by leaving?
"Enough, both of you. Fighting will get us nowhere." Maria chimed in again, hoping to end the argument. "Demetra, if you would so kindly step aside with me." Atronia removed her boiling stare from Claudia and softened it when looking at her mother. She followed the woman to the other side of the room where Maria began to open a box.
"What is this about, Maria?" she regarded Claudia, who was sitting on the stairs to the second floor. The feisty Auditore occasionally glared over at them.
"She misses you and Ezio."
At first, Atronia didn't understand what she had said. Then it clicked in her mind.
"Please, Atronia. You think I would not know my own daughter when I saw her? Your incognito skills are impressive but not to me. I know you far too well." she looked up and smiled at her. Atronia stood motionless, shocked, perplexed. She had no idea what to say to that. That added yet another person to the list of who knew who she was. All she could do was make a strange squeaking noise, which only increased Maria's pleasure. She let out a chuckle, "And do not even worry about me telling, it will not happen."
"How long have you known?" she muttered.
"Since we left Monteriggioni…" her mother's smile faded. Atronia knew well why, but left it up to her to mention it, "I'm so sorry, Atronia. You only just found out." The assassin let out a sigh, hanging her head. After not saying anything for a good minute, Maria moved back to her box and took out a hidden blade. It was the finest hidden blade that Atronia had seen. There was a large carving of the assassin symbol in the iron that laid over the highest quality leather in Italy. Maria handed it to her.
"This… isn't possibly for me, right?" Atronia hesitantly reached out, gingerly taking the weapon.
"It is not for you, it is yours. It was your mother's." Maria replied. Atronia looked up to Maria, then back to the blade. "Mario always intended to give it to you, he just never felt it was the right time."
Tears filled Atronia's eyes, but she quickly blinked them off. She slipped off her left-handed blade and replaced it with her mother's. It was a little too large, but luckily she knew someone who could make an alteration or two.
The thought of Leonardo didn't help her emotions. She wondered where he was, if he missed her as much as she did him.
"Is she still alive, Maria? My mother?" Atronia wondered. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted the answer, but anything to get her mind off of Leonardo was helpful.
When Maria didn't reply, she saw her aunt had become troubled.
"Well, Atronia, no one knows. No one has heard from her in years, it is too hard to know."
Atronia nodded, gazing down at her new hidden blade. Maybe someday she'd find answers. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, Atronia hugged Maria and thanked her. Then she confirmed the brothel's alliance with Claudia and left as fast as she could.
"He loves me, he loves me not…" Atronia rolled her eyes. What kind of woman was Lucrezia? Her actions were simply perplexing. However, Atronia wasn't in the most restricted place in Rome to judge the Borgia, she could participate in her own time.
Atronia silently crept along the grated wall opposite of the female Borgia as she plucked the petals from a rose. Atronia stood in the doorway, watching Lucrezia with a look of confusion.
"Why do you not just ask the boy if he loves you?" she mistakenly thought aloud. She quickly attempted to look as if she had meant to say it out loud. Lucrezia gasped, turning quickly to see who had spoken.
"My goodness, I feared you were Cesare…" it took a moment, but she realized who Atronia was. "Ah, assassin… I have heard much about you."
"Hmm, I would have hoped otherwise." Atronia growled back.
"What are you doing here?"
"What do you think, Lucrezia?" she began to approach the Borgia as she backed into the wall. She then proceeded to punch her lights out. Thankfully, the woman was extremely thin, at least as her corset showed. Either way, Lucrezia was very light, and Atronia had very little time.
The halls of the castle, however, where a maze. It was difficult to find any signs of dungeons at all. She turned one corner and found that she had gone in a complete circle. It didn't help that the woman on her shoulder began to feel heavy. Almost at the same time, luck found her and the staircase was in her sights. Releasing a sigh of relief, Atronia quickly galloped through the staircases, eventually finding the dungeons.
Unfortunately, upon entering the dungeons, the Borgia woke up and proceeded to start screaming. Atronia immediately dropped her onto the floor.
"Shut your mouth, Lucrezia," she ordered, "now, where's the key."
"You think I'd tell you! Ha! Fool!"
"Alright, fine." Atronia unsheathed her hidden blade and grabbed Lucrezia, who, frankly, wasn't the weakest person she'd encountered. She walked into the dungeon with Lucrezia in her grasp. The two guards standing inside immediately drew their swords.
"Let her go!"
"Now!"
Atronia gave them both a wide smile.
"Okay, as you wish." she dropped the Borgia and charged at one of the guards. He prepared himself, sword at the ready. She sidestepped as he attempted to strike at her, shoving her hidden blade into his abdomen. The other guard instantly swung at her, she swiveled aside. She moved forward, grabbing her opponent's arm. She elbowed the inside of his forearm, causing him to drop his sword. She caught it in mid-air and shoved it backwards. The guard fell to the ground with a thud.
"Now, to deal with you." Atronia began walking towards Lucrezia, throwing the sword aside. Lucrezia began backing away as Atronia approached. Grabbing Lucrezia again, Atronia searched for Caterina's cell. The third one in, she was successful.
"Madonna Sforza," she greeted. Caterina looked quite confused. Atronia then remembered who she was supposed to be posing as, "my name is Demetra Soldati. I am here to rescue you." After Caterina still looked hesitant, Atronia pushed for her alliance, "I am a friend of Ezio's." This caught her attention and she stood, though with much effort and removed the key from Lucrezia, unlocking her cell and knocking the Borgia out. Atronia could only stand and watch.
"Well, I would be lying if I said I am not impressed by that." she smiled and Caterina let out a chuckle.
"All I can do really. Can you help me walk, Demetra?" she replied, limping slightly. Atronia didn't hesitate to slide the prisoner's arm over her shoulder and lead her down the labyrinth of staircases.
Getting out this time was simple for Atronia having explored the stairs for far to long earlier. She and Caterina met Ezio at the front gate, where he was waiting with three horses for their escape. Atronia helped Caterina onto her horse, then hastily walked to Ezio.
"Mentor, did you do it? Are the Borgia dead?"
When Ezio didn't reply, Atronia immediately knew he hadn't completed the job successfully. She said no more, stepping away quietly and got onto her horse. Caterina didn't say a word, only looked confusedly between the two after their silent and brief conversation. With that, the three made their quick escape back to Tiber Island.
Upon returning to Tiber, Machiavelli was overjoyed to see that Caterina was alive and well, but his attitude shifted instantly as soon as Ezio told him he had failed to kill the Borgias. Once Ezio had left the room, Atronia tried to console her friend.
"Ezio did all he could, Niccoló," she said, grabbing his shoulder.
"He could have killed the stinking Templars where they stood," he spat, leaning heavily against the meeting table. Shaking her head, she patted him once more. Then she began to leave the room, giving the scholar time to think, "Atr-... Demetra!" he stopped her, "Go and recruit some folks." he hesitated, giving her a rare grin of his, "The liberation of Roma has begun."
Announcement!
*looks at last announcement*
*forehead slap*
I suppose I should've feared this. It's been far too long, my friends. I kinda slacked off this summer, that's my excuse. I know that's not very valid, but yeah… Anyway, I'm back in school, so I have my laptop back and I hope to be writing far more often. Hehee. Well, I hope you guys liked it! I'm really excited for the next chapter. I won't say anything except this; angst. That's your hint. Heh, well, I apologize once again for my delays. I hope to have the next chapter of something up soon. Melvick out! Peace!